The inaugural Africa Day Benefit Concert At Home in 2020 brought African and global superstars together to celebrate Africa Day, and raise funds to support families affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The highly anticipated Africa Day Concert 2021 has returned and the next global wave of talent set to take the stage by storm at the upcoming concert.
This year’s concert as hosted by Idris Elba this Africa Day, May 25th will shine a light on Africa’s next wave of talent who are making their mark on the global stage with artists from South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Kenya who are set to perform.
“I’m committed to shining a light on African culture, heritage and the arts. During a year when globally we have all had to reflect deeply on our purpose, I’ve taken inspiration from the continent with its diversity of voices, creativity and innovation. Here’s to Africa’s Next Global Wave, ” host Idris Elba, said.
The concert will shine a light on the strides in innovation by Africans, those who are redefining the narrative of the continent, and the exchange of music, creativity and cultural ideas that are taking the world by storm.
Alex Okosi, Managing Director of Emerging Markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa at YouTube, said: “We are excited to work with Idris Elba and MTV Base to celebrate Africa Day this year through another powerful concert event.
“With African music continuing to connect and inspire people around the world, the timing is perfect to shine the spotlight on the next wave of African artists that will make a global impact on music and culture.”
Monde Twala, Senior Vice President and General Manager at ViacomCBS Networks Africa, said: “The past year has been an unprecedented one for all of us and it is a tremendous inspiration to see how our African artists and Africans on the continent and globally are lighting the way through creativity, collaboration and innovation.
“MTV through music, culture and active citizenship unifies and strives to mobilise the youth to drive hope and positive change.
“We are proud to partner with YouTube and Idris Elba for the Africa Day Concert 2021. As ViacomCBS we are committed to unleashing the potential of content.”
The concert will be hosted virtually in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic with all safety and social distancing measures observed.
The global event is a partnership between MTV Base, YouTube and Idris Elba and will be hosted by the Golden Globe and SAG winner, Elba, this Africa Day.
The event will feature some of the most dynamic emerging artists from the diaspora, who will be unveiled in the weeks leading up to the Africa Day concert. Artists will perform on multiple stages from Lagos to Joburg in an event that will be streamed to a global audience on YouTube and broadcast across MTV channels.
The show will feature appearances from the biggest names in music from across Africa who will introduce each act and shine a light on why exactly they are taking the world by storm.
Swangz Avenue’s Azawi, one of the region’s most-streamed artists at the moment, is set to perform new music that she just dropped while on the concert. The ‘LoFit’ singer revealed so on social, writing:
Remember what Azawi said bout this being her year? Well, things are happening, and I love to see it! Azawi will be joined by rapper and MTV Base Hottest MC 2020 winner, Focalistic as well as rap duo, Blaq Diamond who is currently MTV Base’ Hottest MC New Wave title holders.
Nigeria’s most popular emerging artists will also take to the stage. Singer, songwriter and Case hitmaker Teni will perform at the event as well as Afrobeat star, Bella Shmurda, who rose to prominence with the song Vision 2020. Nigerian singer and songwriter Omah Lay will also perform his much-loved hits.
Also set to join the line-up is Ghanaian artist and afrobeat/afrofusion singer, Gyakie as well as Suspect 95 who hails from the Ivory Coast.
Also set to deliver show-stopping performances are Kenyan singer Bahati and Tanzanian songstress Zuchu.
The Africa Day Concert 2021, takes place this Africa Day, May 25, streaming globally on YouTube at 7pm CAT/6pm WAT and MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) at 9pm CAT/8pm WAT.
